Too hot at work!?

Question

I work in an office we have fans etc, open windows, turn alll the heating off and its still too hot it gets me really down, I feel really tired and get headaches because of it, i even feel like i'm just gonna cry which i very rarely do - i'm so fed up as i had the same problem last year and couldn't find any where that says there is a max working consition for England! I have spoken to the directors and manager - who is my dad - but they complain about the heat too but it doesnt seem to be as hot in thier offices plus there not stuck in it all day with printers, fax computers around them! Does anyone have any suggestions taht i could do?! We have a water coler and i drink so much water and hang out the window now and again, the job is well paid and really easy so i ont want to quit but i cant take a whole summer of this again!!! Please Help!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I have just taken this extract from the TGWU website. Hope this helps you.

Q I work in an office that is freezing in the winter and stifling in the summer. Is this allowed?
During working hours the temperature in all workplace inside buildings shall be 'reasonable'. The method of heating or cooling should not give off dangerous gas or vapour. The workplace should also be supplied with sufficient thermometers to check the temperature.

What is a 'reasonable' temperature? The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 indicates that this is a level that provides reasonable comfort without special clothing: this would be normally at least 16ºC or at least 13ºC where much of the work involves serious physical effort (16ºC may be too warm in this situation). There are no legal maximum temperatures; however, the TUC is campaigning for a legal maximum workplace temperature of 30ºC, or 27ºC where strenuous work is being done.

The ACOP recognises that this may be impractical where there are hot or cold processes, for example, in food production where particularly cool temperatures may need to be maintained to ensure food safety. In this situation, the employer should first consider taking steps to minimise the risk to employees, such as enclosing or insulating the product, keeping chilled areas as small as possible, or pre-chilling the product. If it is not possible to take such steps, then the employer should consider other measures such as providing local heating for employees, excluding draughts, and/or using duck boards or other cleanable floor covering to isolate workers from cold floors. If a reasonable temperature is still not achievable, then the employer should provide protective clothing and heated rest facilities, and set up systems of work to minimise the length of time of exposure to uncomfortable temperatures, for example, rotation of tasks to enable workers to go to heated areas.

Answer 2

I feel for you, I am so temperature sensitive it really upsets me to be too hot or cold, I totally understand how you'd feel like crying all the time!

But anyway my suggestion would be to get a desk-top fan just for your desk, have it blowing right on you and your workstation all day. I think this could help.

Wear loose skirts and strappy tops- keep your underwear light too, just a little thong and a bra without padding.

For me, excessive heat also puts me in a horrible mood because I know sweating will mess up my makeup and hair so much. If this is the same for you my advice would be as follows- For your hair, best thing to do is put it back in a hairband off your face, and then the front bits won't go all stringy and sweaty. Maybe tie it up as well, put it in bunches or a side ponytail. As for makeup, powder your face regularly through the day and you'll look fine, or use a good fake tan all over and you won't really need foundation. Also being flustered and sweaty doesn't look so bad with a tan!

Ultimately, if you can't solve the problem by drinking lots and having a fan on your desk, just find another place to work. It's not worth it.

Answer 3

u should try having a serious talk about it with ur director / manager. if they show no signs of working towards finding ways in cutting down the high temperatures at the office then u should really try to put it off ur mind for sometime. after a while being hot in the office would not seem like such a big issue to u anymore. and always remember that your working conditions are always better than somebody else's. and this just might last for the summer so try to enjoy it while it lasts

Answer 4

Wear loose clothing, and consider taking a change of clothes. Clothing that's clean and dry will make you more comfortable.
Your body loses a lot of heat through your head, as well. Consider cutting your hair as short as you can stand and don't load it down with styling products. This will allow your body to exchange heat more freely.
If you use a freezer pack or cold compress to cool yourself, place it in a position where a large vessel circulates blood near the skin. Good candidates are the groin, wrists, ankles, and behind the knees. DO NOT put it on your neck. Cold will cause your carotid artery to contract, slowing blood to the brain. You'll pass out (I've seen it happen!).
I hope these suggestions help - you can always content yourself with the fact that North America is hotter!

Answer 5

There is no maximum temperature for a workplace.
The only responsiblity your employer has is to ensure that all equipment is in good working order, so if there is air con, he has to ensure that it works properly.
Although this is the law, you should mention that productivity is low as people get more tired when they are warm. Also, if you are part of a larger chain, try contacting the head-office, they will not be happy that their employees are not working at their best level.

Answer 6

There is no maximum temperature as you rightly say. All I can suggest is to hire some portable air conditioners. If you need a fiurther excuse, check out the recommended manufacturers' maximum operating temperature for your computer equipment etc. and say that has to be your maximum temperature other the stuff will pack up or become unreliable.

Answer 7

You probably have a physical condition that is causing you to feel this way, talk with you doctor or gynecologist regarding the problem, that way tests can be done to find the cause, mine is due to estrogen deficency. Maybe you have the same prob lem?

Answer 8

sadly there is no upper limit to working temperatures in the UK.

portable air conditioning may be the answer, the thing to do is to convince the bosses that the high temperatures are bad for the equipment and therefore to prevent damage to the PC's etc you need to control the temperature.

Answer 9

Install a local air conditioner ,
(window unit for the room) , many here do it.
Unless they put in central HVAC - that is the best.
I have central in my home too , but the local units are so cheap , you could pay for it yourself.

Answer 10

Ask to have air conditioning units put into place